Ben Smith missed practice Tuesday for the Blackhawks. Coach Q would not say why. No matter, because Marian Hossa, out with what Aaron Ward of TSN suspects is a neck injury, is expected to play tonight.

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Logan Couture has signed a five-year contract extension worth $30 million ($6 million per). He can’t sign it until July 5 because he’s already signed for next year.

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Pavel Datsyuk‘s deal is for three years at $22.5 million. That locks him up for another four years, since he still has one year left on his seven-year deal, and it takes him to the age of 38. I wasn’t worried about him leaving the league at this point. But after this next contract, then it becomes possible. He could definitely play until he’s 40 or 42 – he’s just one of those players. But he may want to go back to Russia. Until then, we’re safe for four seasons.

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Wow! Well done sir – Slava Voynov signed a six-year contract extension with the LA Kings. For $25 million bones. Again we have to wonder why there was a lockout – were the players really worried that their salary was going to go down?

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Daniel Briere has been informed that he will be bought out. So he will be a free agent, and may be worth owning for when he plays on another team. He’s still a Band-Aid Boy, but instead of 50 points in 70 games he may get 55, depending on the team.

Do you remember that crazy summer? The press conferences… July 1, 2007 – Daniel Briere, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez… ah the memories. So how’d that work out?

Yes, Briere was worth the money just from this three or so playoff magic years. That’s what it boils down to I guess. Just found it funny that all three big signings were unable to see the contract through.

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Corban Knight was acquired from the Panthers by Calgary for a fourth-round draft pick. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Panthers and given the high amount of prospect forwards in that “one-to-three” years before NHL readiness, some room needed to be made. So now the Panthers move up a round in the draft and reset the clock – the prospect they draft is obviously in the “four-to-six” years before NHL readiness.

Knight had 133 points in his last 124 games for U. of North Dakota – but his teammates included Danny Kristo and Rocco Grimaldi, so his numbers were influenced.

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Chris Bourque has signed to play in the KHL.

Ditto for Tomas Vincour – the Avs had just traded Cameron Gaunce for that guy.

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Anaheim defenseman Kyle Cumiskey, who took off to the riches of Europe last year, has come to an agreement with the Ducks and will join the team in the coming season. The 27-year-old once had seven goals and 20 points in 61 games for the Avalanche. Last year for MODO he had 32 points in 46 contests. His teammates on MODO included Ladislav Nagy (22 points), Mattias Ritola (24 points) and briefly Alex Steen (23 points in 20 games).

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Down Goes Brown managed to get a copy of the Rangers head coaching job questionnaire…here.

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Grand Rapids Griffins – your AHL Calder Cup champs. Tatar and Nyquist were big in the 5-2 win over Syracuse. Nyquist had a rocky start when he was sent down after the Wings were eliminated – two points and minus-4 in four playoff games. But then had five points in six games with an even rating.

Ondrej Palat was the playoff scoring champ – 26 points in 18 games. Tatar and Tyler Johnson were next at 21 points each.

Tomas Tatar was the Calder Cup MVP. Half a season. I give him half a season and he’s on the Red Wings for good. Mark it! And the only reason for the delay is to just give Nyquist and Andersson a little longer to transition into the NHL.

Here is the footage of the Calder win and Tatar’s MVP presentation: